BUILDING
VOCABULARY SKILLS
Fourth Edition
Sherrie L. Nist
© 2010 Townsend Press
Unit One: Chapter 4
• agenda
• prospects
• antidote
• radical
• apathy
• reinforce
• bland
• relevant
• propaganda
• ruthless
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 agenda
– noun
• There are two items on the agenda for today’s office meeting:
the company’s new product and the holiday party.
• Ralph’s daily agenda includes driving his granddaughter to
school, working at the soup kitchen, and walking his dog after
dinner.
Agenda means
A. a schedule.
B. a desk.
C. work.
“Besides eating and sleeping,
what’s on your agenda for today?”
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
1 agenda
– noun
• There are two items on the agenda for today’s office meeting:
the company’s new product and the holiday party.
• Ralph’s daily agenda includes driving his granddaughter to
school, working at the soup kitchen, and walking his dog after
dinner.
Agenda means
A. a schedule.
B. a desk.
C. work.
“Besides eating and sleeping,
what’s on your agenda for today?”
Two items are on the schedule for
discussion at today’s meeting.
Ralph’s daily schedule includes the
three activities listed.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 antidote
– noun
• Because there was no antidote for the snake’s poison, the cat
that was bitten died.
• For me, a good antidote to feeling low is to bake a batch of
brownies.
Antidote means
A. a short story.
B. a cause.
C. a cure.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
2 antidote
– noun
• Because there was no antidote for the snake’s poison, the cat
that was bitten died.
• For me, a good antidote to feeling low is to bake a batch of
brownies.
Antidote means
A. a short story.
B. a cause.
C. a cure.
The cat died because there was no cure for the poison. Baking a batch
of brownies (and then eating them) could be a cure for feeling low.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 apathy
– noun
• Determined to shock her students out of their apathy, the history
teacher showed up for class one day dressed as Joan of Arc.
• Voter apathy was high, causing a low turnout on election day.
Apathy means
A. pity.
B. understanding.
C. lack of interest.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
3 apathy
– noun
• Determined to shock her students out of their apathy, the history
teacher showed up for class one day dressed as Joan of Arc.
• Voter apathy was high, causing a low turnout on election day.
Apathy means
A. pity.
B. understanding.
C. lack of interest.
The students might be shocked out of their lack of interest if the
teacher showed up for class dressed as Joan of Arc. Low turnout
on election day would indicate that the voters lacked interest.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 bland
– adjective
• The addition of a bright red scarf changed Linda’s grey outfit from
bland to striking.
• Mexicans, accustomed to hot and spicy foods, often find American
dishes bland by comparison.
Bland means
A. old.
B. dull.
C. bitter.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
4 bland
– adjective
• The addition of a bright red scarf changed Linda’s grey outfit from
bland to striking.
• Mexicans, accustomed to hot and spicy foods, often find American
dishes bland by comparison.
Bland means
A. old.
B. dull.
C. bitter.
The gray outfit by itself would seem dull; the bright red scarf would
make the outfit striking. The hot and spicy foods make the less spicy
American dishes seem dull by comparison.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 propaganda
– noun
• Until recently, the propaganda put out by cigarette companies
said that nicotine didn’t harm people’s health.
• The political candidates ran TV ads made up largely of
propaganda directed against their opponents.
Propaganda means
A. research.
B. complaints.
C. publicity.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
5 propaganda
– noun
• Until recently, the propaganda put out by cigarette companies
said that nicotine didn’t harm people’s health.
• The political candidates ran TV ads made up largely of
propaganda directed against their opponents.
Propaganda means
A. research.
B. complaints.
C. publicity.
In order to sell cigarettes, tobacco companies would put out
publicity saying that nicotine didn’t harm people’s health.
Political candidates would put out publicity directed against
their opponents. The words TV ads are a clue.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 prospects
– noun
• The movie’s prospects for doing well at the box office were
harmed by several bad reviews in the newspapers and on TV.
• What are my prospects of finding a hotel room in this town
during Super Bowl weekend?
Prospects means
A. reasons.
B. chances.
C. fears.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
6 prospects
– noun
• The movie’s prospects for doing well at the box office were
harmed by several bad reviews in the newspapers and on TV.
• What are my prospects of finding a hotel room in this town
during Super Bowl weekend?
Prospects means
A. reasons.
B. chances.
C. fears.
Bad reviews would harm a movie’s chances for doing well
at the box office. One would wonder about the chances of
finding a hotel room in town on Super Bowl weekend.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 radical
– adjective
• I won’t vote for the radical candidate—his beliefs are too
extreme for me.
• Most students tried to change school policy through peaceful
compromise, but a radical group wanted to take over the
president’s office by force.
Radical means
A. extreme.
B. average.
C. young.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
7 radical
– adjective
• I won’t vote for the radical candidate—his beliefs are too
extreme for me.
• Most students tried to change school policy through peaceful
compromise, but a radical group wanted to take over the
president’s office by force.
Radical means
A. extreme.
B. average.
C. young.
In the first item, the word extreme is a clue. In the second item,
making over the president’s office by force is an extreme way to
try to change school policy.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 reinforce
– verb
• Jonathan’s wisecrack reinforced the teacher’s opinion that he
was interested only in fooling around.
• Some socks are reinforced at the heels and toes with extra layers
of material so they won’t develop holes.
Reinforce means
A. to ruin.
B. to make stronger.
C. to repeat.
The metal mesh reinforces the concrete
that is poured over it.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
8 reinforce
– verb
• Jonathan’s wisecrack reinforced the teacher’s opinion that he
was interested only in fooling around.
• Some socks are reinforced at the heels and toes with extra layers
of material so they won’t develop holes.
Reinforce means
A. to ruin.
B. to make stronger.
C. to repeat.
The metal mesh reinforces the concrete
that is poured over it.
The wisecrack would strengthen the
teacher’s opinion that the student
was interested only in fooling around.
Extra layers of material would make
the heels and toes stronger.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 relevant
– adjective
• History is always relevant to our lives because it shows us what
results can follow certain actions.
• “The weather is not relevant to this conversation,” Yvonne’s
mother said. “Don’t change the subject when I bring up your
speeding tickets.”
Relevant means
A. known.
B. related.
C. threatening.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
9 relevant
– adjective
• History is always relevant to our lives because it shows us what
results can follow certain actions.
• “The weather is not relevant to this conversation,” Yvonne’s
mother said. “Don’t change the subject when I bring up your
speeding tickets.”
Relevant means
A. known.
B. related.
C. threatening.
By showing us what results can follow certain actions, history is
related to our lives. The topic of the weather is not related to the
topic of Yvonne’s speeding tickets.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 ruthless
– adjective
• My English teacher is a ruthless grader. He shows no mercy for
weak reasoning or faulty grammar, so I’ve had to work extra
hard on my papers.
• Barry is so ruthless that he would step on coworkers to advance
himself.
Ruthless means
A. sweet.
B. confusing.
C. without mercy.
TEN WORDS IN CONTEXT
Choose the meaning closest to that of the boldfaced word.
10 ruthless
– adjective
• My English teacher is a ruthless grader. He shows no mercy for
weak reasoning or faulty grammar, so I’ve had to work extra
hard on my papers.
• Barry is so ruthless that he would step on coworkers to advance
himself.
Ruthless means
A. sweet.
B. confusing.
C. without mercy.
In the first item, the words shows no mercy are a clue. In the
second item, someone who would step on his coworkers to
advance himself is a person who is without mercy.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
1. There are __________ drivers who make no effort to
avoid hitting animals on the road.
2. Carlos’s personality is so __________ and unexciting that
people tend not to notice him.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
1. There are __________
ruthless drivers who make no effort to
avoid hitting animals on the road.
Drivers who make no effort to avoid hitting animals are merciless.
2. Carlos’s personality is so __________
and unexciting that
bland
people tend not to notice him.
A person who is unexciting would seem dull.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
3. Your statement isn’t __________; it has nothing to do
with our conversation.
4. Victoria will __________ the plant by tying its thin stem to
a strong stick.
5. My sister’s __________ of passing Accounting II aren’t good.
She hasn’t studied all term.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
3. Your statement isn’t __________;
relevant
it has nothing to do
with our conversation.
If the statement has nothing to do with the conversation, it is not related.
4. Victoria will __________
reinforce the plant by tying its thin stem to
a strong stick.
Tying the thin stem to a strong stick would add support to it.
5. My sister’s __________
prospects of passing Accounting II aren’t good.
She hasn’t studied all term.
If she hasn’t studied all term, her chances of success in the course
would not be good.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
6. All medicine cabinets should contain a general
__________ for accidental poisoning.
7. Every morning Lin writes out her __________, jotting
down what she needs to accomplish that day.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
6. All medicine cabinets should contain a general
__________
antidote for accidental poisoning.
One would want to have something that reduces the effects of a
poison on hand in case of accidental poisoning.
7. Every morning Lin writes out her __________,
jotting
agenda
down what she needs to accomplish that day.
If Lin writes down what she needs to accomplish each day, she is
making a list of things to be done.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
8. Sidewalk litter is a sign of __________, showing that people
don’t care about a clean environment.
9. Because my science teacher wants to do away with grading
in his courses, many of the other teachers consider his
views too __________.
10. Advertisements are an important part of the __________
used by companies to persuade us to buy their products.
SENTENCE CHECK 1
Complete each item with the correct word from the box.
A. agenda
B. antidote
C. apathy
D. bland
E. propaganda
F. prospects
G. radical
H. reinforce
I. relevant
J. ruthless
8. Sidewalk litter is a sign of __________,
showing that people
apathy
don’t care about a clean environment.
Litter shows a lack of concern. The words don’t care about are a clue.
9. Because my science teacher wants to do away with grading
in his courses, many of the other teachers consider his
views too __________.
radical
Doing away with grading might be considered extreme.
10. Advertisements are an important part of the __________
propaganda
used by companies to persuade us to buy their products.
To persuade us to buy their products, companies present information
that supports those products.